Integrated shelter and multi-functional garment

ABSTRACT

An efficient, lightweight, waterproof and configurable multi-functional garment that is intended to keep the user dry. The multi-functional garment is intended to be used by anyone going outdoors in inclement weather and is configurable as a rain coat or a poncho, and an A-frame or lean-to tent, depending on the user&#39;s need and choice. The multi-functional garment is a poncho or a rain jacket that also doubles as a tent shelter. The multi-functional garment also folds-up into itself in a compact self-stored small, light pillow shape for easy carrying.

This application claims priority benefit of copending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/336,043 filed in the name of the above captioned inventor, the sole inventor hereof, through the United States Postal Service by Post Office to Addressee Express mail under Express Mail Label No. EO 970150810 US on Jan. 15, 2010, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to lightweight, waterproof and configurable multi-functional garments having an integrated shelter, and in particular to garments that are convertible between a rain coat, poncho, and a tent, and is self-stored in a small bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ponchos are generally well-known for hiking and backpacking. However, known ponchos are limited in their ability to efficiently and reliably operate as lightweight, waterproof and configurable multi-functional garments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an efficient, lightweight, waterproof and configurable multi-functional garment that is intended to keep the user dry. The multi-functional garment of the invention is configurable as a rain coat or a poncho, and an A-frame or lean-to tent, depending on the user's need and choice. The multi-functional garment is intended to be used by anyone going outdoors in inclement weather. Therefore, the multi-functional garment is by design efficient, lightweight, waterproof, configurable. The multi-functional garment is a poncho or a rain jacket that also doubles as a tent shelter. The multi-functional garment also folds-up into itself in a compact self-stored small, light pillow shape the size of a small bag of potato chips for easy carrying.

The multi-functional garment can be pulled out of the self-stored small bag and donned as a poncho in under 5 seconds, and can be converted to a tent shelter in 90 seconds. When not in use, the multi-functional garment can be stuffed into its pouch for self-storage in about 30 seconds.

An alternative configuration of the multi-functional garment has an emergency blanket feature wherein a reflective surface is integrated onto the inside surface of the waterproof fabric, effectively reflecting and containing the user's body heat.

Other aspects of the invention are detailed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of the multi-functional garment in flat pattern;

FIG. 2 is a view showing the back of the multi-functional garment of FIG. 1 in flat pattern;

FIG. 3 is a close-up of a hood portion of the multi-functional garment of FIG. 1 that is fitted with a head contouring mechanism that both draws the peak of the hood down over wearer's forehead, and draws the sides of the hood away from wearer's face to provide a full visual range-of-view side-to-side;

FIG. 4 is a view of the hood portion of the multi-functional garment of FIG. 1 as viewed from the back and further showing a draw string-type cord member of the head contouring mechanism that runs through a sleeve on the hood with an adjusting means threaded onto the cord member adjacent to an opening into the sleeve;

FIG. 5 shows operation of the head contouring mechanism on the hood portion of the multi-functional garment of FIG. 1, wherein the hood is shown (left) with the adjusting means loosened on the draw string-type cord member such that the head contouring mechanism is deactivated and the hood is fully deployed about the wearer's head, and the hood is shown (right) with the adjusting means tightening the draw string-type cord member such that the head contouring mechanism is activated such that the peak of the hood is drawn down over the wearer's forehead, and the sides of the hood are drawn away from the wearer's face to provide a full visual range-of-view from side-to-side;

FIG. 6 shows operation of the multi-functional garment of FIG. 1 as a rain coat or a poncho, wherein the multi-functional garment of FIG. 1 is fit over the wearer with its front and back panels positioned before and behind the wearer, and the shoulder line of the multi-functional garment of FIG. 1 centered roughly over the wearer's shoulders;

FIGS. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 each illustrate the large rectangular outline concept of multi-functional garment of FIG. 1 that is provided by a Novel Feature #5, wherein:

FIG. 7 shows the wearer with a typical backpack that can be covered with the multi-functional garment of FIG. 1 when it is worn as a poncho; and

FIG. 8, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 each illustrate the wearer carrying the typical backpack while wearing multi-functional garment of FIG. 1 as a poncho, and showing that a typical backpack can be covered with the multi-functional garment of FIG. 1 while it is worn as a poncho;

FIG. 11 illustrates the multi-functional garment of FIG. 1 configured as a waterproof A-frame tent shelter that is open at opposite ends;

FIG. 12 illustrates the hood portion of the multi-functional garment of FIG. 1 being folded into a front pouch when it is desired to keep inside of tent shelter dry;

FIG. 13 illustrates the back of the hood portion of the multi-functional garment of FIG. 1 having a mating hood sealing mechanism that cooperates with the sealing mechanism that closes the chest pouch on the garment front panel;

FIG. 14 illustrates the multi-functional garment of FIG. 1 configured as the A-frame tent shelter of FIG. 11 with the hood portion being folded into the front pouch and having the hood sealing mechanism mating with the sealing mechanism of the chest pouch on the garment front panel that here operating as the side panel of the tent shelter;

FIG. 15 illustrates the multi-functional garment of FIG. 1 configured as an alternative tarp-style or lean-to tent shelter that is open at only one end, while its opposite end is staked to the ground;

FIG. 16, FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 show the multi-functional garment of FIG. 1 being stuffed into the pouch for self-storage, wherein the pouch is pulled inside out through the front panel of the multi-functional garment, fabric of both the front and back panels of the multi-functional garment is stuffed into pouch through a mouth opening thereinto, and FIG. 18 also shows how the multi-functional garment of FIG. 1 is withdrawn from the storage pouch by all the fabric of both the front and back panels of the multi-functional garment being pulled out of the pouch through the mouth opening, and the pouch then being pulled right side out through the garment's front panel;

FIG. 19 shows the multi-functional garment of FIG. 1 stuffed into the pouch for self-storage, wherein the stuffed pouch forms a small pillow;

FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 each illustrates a Novel Feature #1 of the multi-functional garment of FIG. 1, wherein the multi-functional garment of FIG. 1 is stuffed into the storage pouch and forming a small pillow;

FIG. 22, FIG. 23, FIG. 24, FIG. 25, FIG. 26 and FIG. 27 each illustrates a Novel Feature #2 of the multi-functional garment of FIG. 1, wherein the head contouring mechanism of the hood portion is operated when the multi-functional garment of FIG. 1 is worn as a rain coat or poncho;

FIG. 28 illustrates the effects of wind on the multi-functional garment of FIG. 1 when worn as a poncho, wherein the front and back panels of the poncho garment form front and back skirts and wind generated by a floor fan blows up the skirts of the poncho garment;

FIG. 29, FIG. 30 and FIG. 31 each illustrate operation of hem contouring mechanism of a Novel Feature #4 of the multi-functional garment of FIG. 1, wherein the cooperating coupling mechanisms are connected and the waist cinching mechanism is operated to snug the garment about the wearer's waist area, then as illustrated in FIG. 6, the opposing side hems of the back panel are pulled forward and together in front of the front panel of the garment, then fastened together;

FIG. 32 illustrates operation of the hem contouring mechanism of Novel Feature #4 of the multi-functional garment of FIG. 1 for reducing the effects of the wind directed up the poncho garment from the wearer's front;

FIGS. 33 and 34 each illustrate operation of the hem contouring mechanism of Novel Feature #4 of the multi-functional garment of FIG. 1 for reducing the effects of the wind directed up the poncho garment from the wearer's right side (FIG. 33) and wearer's left side (FIG. 34); and

FIG. 35 illustrates operation of the hem contouring mechanism of Novel Feature #4 of the multi-functional garment of FIG. 1 for reducing the effects of the wind directed up the poncho garment from the wearer's rear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the Figures, like numerals indicate like elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a novel an efficient, lightweight, waterproof and configurable multi-functional garment 10 that is intended to be used to keep the wearer dry outdoors in inclement weather. Accordingly, multi-functional garment 10 is multipli-configurable as a rain jacket or coat or a poncho, and an a-frame or lean-to tent, depending on the user's need and choice. Multi-functional garment 10 is manufactured as a sheet 12 of a substantially tough fabric material, such as a rip-stop nylon impregnated with a waterproofing product such as silicone. Optionally, fabric material of sheet 12 is flame retardant.

Multi-functional garment 10 has a large rectangular outline, significantly later than traditional single-application ponchos. Multi-functional garment 10 is shown here laid out in flat pattern. Garment 10 is or larger expected to be produced in a single size for adults, but also may be produced in smaller child sizes or larger sizes for larger adults. The flat pattern of garment 10 is substantially rectangular and, for a one-size-fits-all size, is roughly 96 inches long by 60 inches wide, but can be larger or smaller without deviating from the scope of the invention.

A fabric head covering or hood 14 is positioned roughly in the middle of garment 10 along a shoulder line 16 about halfway between the front and back hems 18, 20 and about halfway between the opposite side hems 22. A garment sealing mechanism 24, such as a zipper releasably seals a head opening 25 that splits the front panel 26 of garment 10 lengthwise from the neckline 28 of hood 14 to ease placement of wearer's head into hood 14. According to one embodiment, zipper-type garment sealing mechanism 24 is water resistant or even waterproof. Zipper-type garment sealing mechanism 24 splits front panel 26 of garment 10 down to a horizontal flap 30 that releasably seals a chest pouch 32 on garment front panel 26. A pouch sealing mechanism 33 is structured between flap 30 and a surface of pouch 32. For example, pouch sealing mechanism 33 is a fabric hook-and-loop closures, for example, of the type commonly known as Velcro. In one embodiment, chest pouch 32 measures about 7 inches by 7 inches, but the size of chest pouch 32 can be larger or smaller without deviating from the scope of the invention. Chest pouch 32 is optionally either a patch-type pocket formed as a single patch of fabric sewn to garment front panel 26, or is a bag-type pouch formed as a bag having its mouth sewn to an opening through garment front panel 26, which also operates as the opening into pouch 32.

As illustrated here, a pair of attachment mechanisms 34 are positioned adjacent to the opposite side hems 22 along shoulder line 16 of garment 10. Additional attachment mechanisms 34 are positioned adjacent to each outside corner of garment 10 where front and back hems 18, meet opposite side hems 22. For example, attachment mechanisms 34 are stout fabric loops tabbed, sewn or otherwise attached or coupled to opposite side hems 22 and each outside corner of garment 10. Fabric loops 34 are optionally of an elastic cord material. Alternatively, attachment loops 34 are configured as any hole-type attachment means, including but not limited to: button holes, metallic or non-metallic rings, and metallic or non-metallic grommets. Accordingly, such button holes, metallic or non-metallic rings, and metallic or non-metallic grommets are also contemplated for attachment mechanisms 34 and may be substituted for any or all of the fabric loops without deviating from the scope and intent of the present invention.

A hem contouring mechanism 35 is provided by a cord or draw string member 36 (phantom lines) that is run crosswise of garment 10 adjacent to each of front and back hems 18, 20 between opposite side hems 22. For example, a tube or sleeve 38 (dashed lines) is sewn or otherwise attached to fabric of garment 10. Cord or draw string members 36 are optionally elastic, for example a strong elastic cord of about ⅛ inch thickness may be utilized. Openings 40 are provided at each end of sleeves 38 from which cord members 36 extend. Adjusting means 42 may be provided for adjusting the length of one or more of cord members 36, such as a spring-loaded plunger clamp or other length adjusting means. For example, spring-loaded plunger-type clamp adjusting means 42 or other clamp adjusting means 42 are fit onto ends of cord members 36 where they extend from openings 40 of sleeves 38. Hem contouring mechanism 35 is operated by utilizing adjusting means 42 to shorten cord members 36 in various configurations of garment 10.

Additional midline cord or draw string members 36 (phantom lines) are run crosswise between opposing side hems 22 of either or both of garment front panel 26 and contiguous back panel 44 between common shoulder line 16 and respective front and back hems 18, 20. These cord members 36 are similarly optionally run through tubes or sleeves 38 (dashed lines) sewn or otherwise attached crosswise of front and back panels 26, 44 of garment 10 approximately parallel with common shoulder line 16 and respective front and back hems 18, 20. These cord members 36 are similarly optionally formed of a strong elastic cord of about ⅛ inch thickness, and may be similarly adjustable by spring-loaded plunger-type clamp adjusting means 42 or other clamp adjusting means 42 fit onto ends of cord members 36 where they extend from openings 40 of sleeves 38 adjacent to opposite side hems 22. These midline cord members 36 are each operated as a waist cinching mechanism 45 to snug garment 10 about the wearer's waist area when garment 10 is worn as a rain poncho or long coat.

Optionally, a pair of cooperating waist coupling mechanisms 46 are provided at opposing side hems 22 of garment back panel 44. For example, waist coupling mechanisms 46 are cooperating quick connect belt clips provided on tough nylon webbing belts 48 that are sewn, bonded, glued or otherwise attached to fabric of back panel 44.

FIG. 2 is a view of the backside or inside surface 50 of garment 10, wherein hood 14 and chest pouch 32 on garment front panel 26 show only as a flat-ish lump. According to one embodiment, inside surface 50 of garment 10 is a heat reflective lining, for example, of the type utilized in emergency blankets.

FIG. 3 is a close-up of hood 14 wherein zipper or other garment sealing mechanism 24 intersects hood neckline 28. Hood 14 is fitted with a head contouring mechanism 52 that both draws the peak 54 of hood 14 downwardly across a face hole 55 formed in the hood 14 and over the wearer's forehead therein, and draws the sides 56 of hood 14 backwardly away from face hole 55 and wearer's face to provide a full visual range-of-view side-to-side. For example, another cord or draw string member 58 (phantom lines) is run over the crown of the wearer's head down to about ear level, then along the hood's sides 56 to the back 59 where another adjustment means 42 is provided for adjusting the length of cord member 58, such as the spring-loaded plunger clamp or other length adjusting means disclosed herein. Cord draw string member 58 is optionally elastic, for example a strong elastic cord of about ⅛ inch thickness may be utilized. Cord member 58 is run through a tube or sleeve 60 (dashed lines) sewn or otherwise attached to fabric of garment hood 14. Spring-loaded plunger-type clamp adjusting means 42 or other clamp adjusting means 42 is fit onto ends of cord member 58 where they extend from an opening 62 of sleeve 60. Adjusting means 42 are utilized to shorten cord member 58 in hood 14 as disclosed herein.

Zipper-type garment sealing mechanism 24 cooperates with head contouring mechanism 52 to keep heat inside hood 14 and water and snow out.

FIG. 4 is a view of hood 14 from the back showing cord member 58 of head contouring mechanism 52 run through a sleeve 60 with adjusting means 42 threaded onto cord member 58 adjacent to opening 62.

FIG. 5 shows operation of head contouring mechanism 52. Hood 14 is shown (left) with adjusting means 42 loosened on cord member 58 such that head contouring mechanism 52 is deactivated and hood 14 is fully deployed about the wearer's head. Hood 14 is shown (right) with adjusting means 42 tightening cord member 58 such that head contouring mechanism 52 is activated such that peak 54 of hood 14 is drawn down over wearer's forehead, and sides 56 of hood 14 are drawn away from wearer's face to provide a full visual range-of-view from side-to-side.

FIG. 6 shows operation of garment 10 as a rain coat or a poncho. Here, garment 10 is fit over wearer with front and back panels 26, 44 positioned before and behind wearer, and shoulder line 16 centered roughly over wearer's shoulders. Wearer's head is fitted through a neck hole 64 into hood 14 between front and back panels 26, 44 at about the center of shoulder line 16. Neck hole 64 is closed to neckline 28 by zipper-type garment sealing mechanism 24 in front panel 26 of garment 10, but may be open down front panel 26 to pouch 32 for inserting head. Shoulder line 16 of garment 10 lies along wearer's arms, with wearer's hands extending from opposing side hems 22.

Traditional ponchos have no provision for mitigating updrafts that expose the wearer to the elements, as well as losing heat from the interior of the poncho. Multi-functional garment 10 has the advantage of quickly snugging the cord members 36 by adjusting means 42 at front and back hems 18, 20 to reduce the effects of the wind. Accordingly, opposing side hems 22 of back panel 44 are pulled forward (arrows 66) and together in front of front panel 26, then releasably fastened. For example, if present, optional cooperating waist coupling mechanisms or belt clips 46 are releasably joined to fasten opposing side hems 22 of back panel 44 together in front of front panel 26. The loops 34 on all four corners of garment 10 become holding sites when the spring-loaded plunger-type clamp adjusting means 42 from another corner is slipped through it. As shown here, one adjusting means 42 on one corner of garment 10 at back hem 20 is slipped through loop 34 on the opposite corner at back hem 20. Adjusting means 42 on a front corner of garment 10 at front hem 18 may also be slipped through loop 34 on the opposite corner at front hem 18. Alternatively, adjusting means 42 or another coupling mechanism adjacent to the corner of back hem 20 can be clipped or otherwise connected to attachment loop 34 without deviating from the scope of the invention.

The poncho formed by garment 10 can even more resemble a long raincoat by virtue of connecting cooperating belt clips 44, whereby the poncho is snugged to the wearer's waist area. An even tighter fit can be obtained by the wearer drawing in the waist area cord members 36 with respective adjusting means 42. This is all done in a matter of seconds by the wearer.

The rectangular panel concept of multi-functional garment 10, wherein the flat pattern is substantially rectangular with substantially rectangular front panel 26 positioned the front and substantially rectangular back panel 44 in the back, allows the wearer of a backpack 68 to cover backpack 68 as well as provide frontal protection from the elements. Cooperating waist coupling mechanisms 46 nominally positioned in the waist area are now positioned further up the torso depending on the size of backpack 68. This feature provides for keeping backpack 68 dry, does not require the wearer to remove backpack 68 to don the poncho, and still provides protection from the elements for the wearer. The rectangular pattern provides the wearer with the ability to keep backpack 68 in place on the back, and to don the poncho rapidly, and to clip back panel 44 across the wearer's upper torso is an advantage not found on traditional ponchos that have less surface area (and thus are shorter) and don't have the front-clasping cooperating belt clips 44.

FIG. 7 shows wearer with a typical backpack 68 that can be covered with multi-functional garment 10 when worn as a poncho.

FIG. 8, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 illustrate each the wearer carrying typical backpack 68 while wearing multi-functional garment 10 as a poncho, and showing that a typical backpack 68 can be covered with multi-functional garment 10 while it is worn as a poncho. As shown, back panel 44 of poncho garment 10 completely covers backpack 68, while providing wearer with protection from the elements. Here, opposing side hems 22 of back panel 44 are pulled forward (arrows 66) and together in front of front panel 26, then fastened by cooperating waist coupling belt clip mechanisms 46. As shown, an even tighter fit is obtained by the wearer operating the midline draw string 36 of the waist area cinching mechanism 45 and securing with respective clamp adjusting means 42.

FIG. 11 illustrates multi-functional garment 10 configured as a waterproof tent shelter, here an A-frame tent open at opposite ends 70, 72. This tent shelter configuration is made possible only by the large rectangular outline of multi-functional garment 10, as disclosed herein. All four corners of garment 10 have attachment mechanisms 34 that operate in the tent shelter as tie-downs for stakes at each of the four corners of the A-frame tent. The A-frame is erected at the two attachment mechanisms 34 at the side hems 22 along shoulder line 16 of garment 10, whereby front and back panels 26, 44 form the sides of the tent shelter. Tent stakes and poles are not a part of garment 10. Rather, it is recognized that the outdoorsman will have securing features as a part of their outdoor equipment possessions. For example, the two attachment mechanisms 34 at the side hems 22 along shoulder line 16 can be tied to trees, or alternatively, sticks or trekking poles 73 (FIG. 14, FIG. 15) can be fitted in to shoulder-line loops 34 and stuck into the ground to support multi-functional garment 10 as a tent shelter. Multi-functional garment 10 can be operated as a tent by first supporting the two attachment mechanisms 34 at the side hems 22 along shoulder line 16, then tying or staking down the four corner attachment mechanisms 34 where front and back hems 18, 20 meet opposite side hems 22. Hood 14 folds into front pouch 32 and fastens closed, whereby rain or snow cannot enter through face and neck holes 55, 64 so that the inside of the tent shelter is kept dry.

FIG. 12 illustrates hood 14 being folded into front pouch 32 when it is desired to keep inside of tent shelter dry.

FIG. 13 illustrates back of hood 14 having mating hood sealing mechanism 74 that cooperates with sealing mechanism 33 that closes chest pouch 32 on garment front panel 26. For example, hood sealing mechanism 74 is positioned either on garment back panel 44 adjacent to back of neckline 28 of hood 14, else on back 59 of hood 14. Cooperating pouch and hood sealing mechanisms 33, 74 are joined by a waterproof sealing method such that, when mated together, cooperating pouch and hood sealing mechanisms 33, 74 form a waterproof seal. According to one embodiment, cooperating pouch and hood sealing mechanisms 33, 74 are fabric hook-and-loop closures, for example, of the type commonly known as Velcro.

FIG. 14 illustrates multi-functional garment 10 configured as the A-frame tent shelter of FIG. 11 with hood 14 being folded into front pouch 32 and having hood sealing mechanism 74 mating with sealing mechanism 33 of chest pouch 32 on garment front panel 26, now operating as tent shelter side panel. As illustrated, when chest pouch 32 is not flush with shoulder line 16, hood sealing mechanism 74, either on back 59 of hood 14 or else on garment back panel 44, is pulled into fastening arrangement with sealing mechanism 33 of chest pouch 32. Accordingly, shoulder line 16, now operating as crown line 76 of tent shelter, is folded or scrunched to bring mating pouch and hood sealing mechanisms 33, 74 into cooperating fastening arrangement. Therefore, crown line 76 of tent shelter is slightly downwardly bowed. Hood 14 being folded into pouch 32 and subsequent mating of cooperating pouch and hood sealing mechanisms 33, 74 obviates any need for zipper sealing mechanism 24 on front panel 26 of garment 10 between neckline 28 of hood 14 and chest pouch 32 to be waterproof or even water resistant.

FIG. 15 illustrates multi-functional garment 10 configured as an alternative tarp-style or lean-to tent shelter that is open at only one end 70, while opposite end 72 is staked to the ground. This lean-to tent shelter configuration is particularly useful if the user has only one support to be fitted in to shoulder-line loops 34. This configuration is also useful for more effectively keeping rain or snow out of the tent enclosure, or for more effective retention of heat inside the tent enclosure.

FIG. 16, FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 show multi-functional garment 10 being stuffed into pouch 32 for storage, as indicated by arrows 78. Pouch 32 is pulled inside out through front panel 26. Then, fabric of both front and back panels 26, 44 of garment 10 is stuffed into pouch 32 through mouth opening 80 thereinto. FIG. 18 also shows how multi-functional garment 10 is withdrawn from pouch 32, as indicated by arrows 82. All the fabric of both front and back panels 26, 44 of garment 10 is pulled out of pouch 32 through mouth opening 80. Then, pouch 32 is pulled right side out through front panel 26.

FIG. 19 shows multi-functional garment 10 stuffed into pouch 32 for self-storage, and hood sealing mechanisms 33, 74 secure the pouch's mouth opening 80 upon completion of insertion. In one embodiment, stuffed pouch 32 forms a small pillow measuring about 7 inches on a side by about 2 inches thick, but the size of pouch 32 can be larger or smaller without deviating from the scope of the invention.

As disclosed herein above, multi-functional garment 10 provides several novel features.

Novel Feature #1

Stored volume, when compressed, has an envelope of 7 inches by 7 inches by 2 inches; less than 100 cubic inches or 1.6 liters. Storage is by means of front pocket or pouch 32, which is turned inside-out, and the entirety of the poncho garment 10 is stuffed into the pocket or pouch 32. Cooperating Velcro pouch and hood sealing mechanisms 33, 74 secure mouth opening 80 upon completion of insertion. The time from holding the garment 10 stored in pouch 32 to removing it from its stored configuration and donning the poncho is barely five seconds, which is useful in a quick downpour situation.

FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 each illustrates Novel Feature #1, wherein poncho garment 10 is stuffed into the pocket or pouch 32. As illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21, the pillow formed by poncho garment 10 being stuffed into the pocket or pouch 32 is not much larger than a hand-held calculator 84 that is shown for comparison only.

Novel Feature #2

Hood 14 is closed by waterproof zipper-type garment sealing mechanism 24 which, with the head contouring mechanism 52, allows the wearer to enjoy the safety of a full visual range-of-view without the hood 14 itself blocking the view. The zipper-type garment sealing mechanism 24 together with the head-draw cord member 58 and cooperating adjustment means 42 keeps heat inside the hood 14 and keeps water and snow out.

FIG. 22, FIG. 23, FIG. 24, FIG. 25, FIG. 26 and FIG. 27 each illustrates Novel Feature #2, wherein head contouring mechanism 52 of hood 14 is operated when multi-functional garment 10 is worn as a rain coat or poncho. Head contouring mechanism 52 is operated to both draw peak 54 of hood 14 down over wearer's forehead, and draws sides 56 of hood 14 away from wearer's face to provide a full visual range-of-view side-to-side. Cord member 58 runs through sleeve 60 over the crown of the wearer's head down to about ear level, then along hood's sides 56 to hood's back 59 where adjustment means 42 adjusts the length of cord member 58. Wearer releases adjusting means 42 by compressing spring-loaded plunger 86 of clamp, or operates other length adjusting means disclosed herein. Cord member 58 is pulled through opening 62 of sleeve 60 to shorten cord member 58 and tighten hood 14 as desired for comfort and side visual range. Wearer releases spring-loaded plunger 86 to clamp cord member 58 with desired length and/or tension, whereby adjusting means 42 are utilized to shorten cord member 58 in hood 14 as disclosed herein.

Zipper closure 24 cooperates with head contouring mechanism 52 to keep heat inside hood 14 and water and snow out.

Novel Feature #3

Novel Feature #3 is disclosed herein and illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein flat pattern of multi-functional poncho garment 10 has a large rectangular outline that is significantly later than traditional single-application ponchos. This large rectangular outline allows multi-functional garment 10 to function also as a waterproof tent shelter, as disclosed herein and illustrated in FIGS. 12 through 15. The shelter is either an A-frame tent with both ends 70, 72 open, or a lean-to or tarp-style tent shelter that is open at only one end 70.

Attachment mechanisms 34 at all four corners of garment 10 are utilized in the tent shelter as tie-downs for stakes at each of the four corners of either the A-frame tent or the lean-to tent. The shelter is erected by supporting attachment mechanisms 34 along garment shoulder line 16 at midpoint of side hems 22, then tied down at the four corner attachment mechanisms 34 or tie-down loops. As disclosed herein and illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, hood 14 folds into chest pouch 32 and is shut and sealed, sealing of cooperating pouch and hood sealing mechanisms 33, 74 is a novel feature that keeps the inside are of the shelter dry. Stakes and poles are not a part of the design, it is recognized that the outdoorsman will have securing features as a part of their outdoor equipment possessions.

Novel Feature #4

Traditional ponchos do not have any provision to mitigate updrafts that expose the wearer to the elements, as well as losing heat from the interior of the poncho. Novel Feature #4 is disclosed herein and illustrated in FIG. 6 wherein, when worn as a poncho multi-functional garment 10 has the advantage of being able to quickly secure and snug hem contouring mechanism 35 at its front and back hems 18, 20 to reduce the effects of the wind. Attachment loop 34 on all four corners of garment 10 become holding sites when the adjusting means 42 from an opposite corner is slipped through attachment loop 34. Poncho garment 10 even more resembles a long raincoat by virtue of the quick connect belt clips 46 that operate to secure the poncho garment 10 about the wearer's waist area. An even tighter fit can be obtained by the wearer operating the midline draw string 36 in the waist area cinching mechanism 45 and securing with respective clamp adjusting means 42. This is all done in a matter of seconds by the wearer.

FIG. 28 illustrates the effects of wind on multi-functional garment 10 when worn as a poncho. Here, front and back panels 26, 44 of poncho garment 10 form front and back skirts 88, 90 between midline cord members 36 and respective hems 18, 20. Wind (arrows) generated by floor fan 92 blows up skirts 88, 90 of garment 10.

FIG. 29, FIG. 30 and FIG. 31 each illustrate operation of hem contouring mechanism 35 of the Novel Feature #4. Here, cooperating waist coupling mechanisms 46 are connected and waist cinching mechanism 45 is operated to snug garment 10 about the wearer's waist area. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 6, opposing side hems 22 of back panel 44 are pulled forward and together in front of front panel 26, then fastened together. For example, clamp adjusting means 42 on one corner of skirt 90 of back panel 44 at back hem 20 is slipped through cooperating attachment loop 34 on the opposite corner of back hem 20. Optionally, clamp adjusting means 42 on opposite corner of skirt 90 of back panel 44 at back hem 20 is slipped through cooperating attachment loop 34 on the first corner of back hem 20, which doubles security. Hem contouring mechanism 35 is snugged across back hem 20, around wearer's calves or ankles, to reduce the effects of the wind.

Optionally, clamp adjusting means 42 on one corner of skirt 88 of front panel 26 at front hem 18 is slipped through cooperating attachment loop 34 on the opposite corner of front hem 18. Optionally, clamp adjusting means 42 on opposite corner of skirt 88 of front panel 26 at front hem 18 is slipped through cooperating attachment loop 34 on the first corner of front hem 18, which doubles security. Hem contouring mechanism 35 is snugged across front hem 18, around wearer's calves or ankles, to further reduce the effects of the wind.

FIG. 32 illustrates operation of hem contouring mechanism 35 for reducing the effects of the wind directed up the poncho garment 10 from the wearer's front.

FIGS. 33 and 34 each illustrate operation of hem contouring mechanism 35 for reducing the effects of the wind directed up the poncho garment 10 from the wearer's right side (FIG. 33) and left side (FIG. 34).

FIG. 35 illustrates operation of hem contouring mechanism 35 for reducing the effects of the wind directed up the poncho garment 10 from the wearer's rear.

Novel Feature #5

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and disclosed herein, flat pattern of multi-functional poncho garment 10 has a large rectangular outline that is significantly later than traditional single-application ponchos. As illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 10, this large rectangular outline concept of multi-functional garment 10 provided by Novel Feature #5, wherein one rectangular panel 26 is in the front and one rectangular panel 44 is in the back, allows the wearer of backpack 68 to cover the backpack 68, as well as provide frontal protection from the elements. The cooperating waist coupling belt clip mechanisms 46 and waist cinching mechanism 45 is now positioned further up the torso depending on the size of the backpack 68. This feature provides for keeping the backpack 68 dry, yet does not require the user to remover the backpack 68 to don the poncho garment 10, and still provides the wearer protection from the elements. The rectangular pattern of multi-functional garment 10 provides the wearer with the ability to keep the backpack 68 on the back, and to don the poncho garment 10 rapidly, and to secure the back panel 44 across the wearer's upper torso is an advantage not found on traditional ponchos that have less surface area, and thus are shorter, and do not have the front-clasping feature provided by cooperating waist coupling belt clip mechanisms 46 nor the torso contouring mechanism provided by waist cinching mechanism 45.

Novel Feature #6

As illustrated in FIG. 2 and disclosed herein, according to one embodiment a heat reflective lining is optionally integrated into inside surface 50 of multi-functional garment 10. This heat reflective lining feature, when present, permits conversion of multi-functional garment 10 into an emergency blanket that is rapidly deployed when needed. This emergency blanket function of the heat reflective lining feature, when present, is made possible only by the generous surface area of multi-functional garment 10 design this feature.

While the preferred and additional alternative embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the inventor makes the following claims. 

1: A multi-functional garment, comprising: a sheet of substantially waterproof fabric formed in a substantially rectangular flat pattern that is bounded by opposing front and back hem lines distal from a common centerline and opposing side hem lines extended between opposing ends of the front and back hem lines and longer than the front and back hem lines and forming corners at intersections of the opposing side hem lines and each of the front and back hem lines, wherein the fabric sheet further comprises substantially rectangular front and back panels that are continuous between the opposing side hem lines and are further contiguous along the common centerline and terminating in the respective front and back hem lines, and further comprising a neck hole through the fabric positioned intermediate of the common centerline; an attachment mechanism coupled to the fabric sheet adjacent to each of the corners formed at the intersections of the opposing side hem lines and each of the front and back hem lines, and coupled to the fabric sheet adjacent to each of the opposing side hem lines substantially coincident with the common centerline; a hem contouring mechanism extended crosswise of the fabric sheet adjacent to each of the front and back hem lines between the opposite side hem lines; a waist cinching mechanism positioned on at least the back panel between the common centerline and the back hem line and extended crosswise of the fabric sheet between the opposing side hem lines; a pair of cooperating waist coupling mechanisms positioned on the back panel adjacent to each of the opposing side hem lines and adjacent to the waist cinching mechanisms; a pouch attached to the front panel of the fabric sheet, the pouch comprising a mouth opening thereinto and a pouch sealing mechanism positioned for sealing the mouth opening; a fabric hood sealed to the fabric sheet adjacent to the neck hole therethrough; and a hood sealing mechanism cooperating with the pouch sealing mechanism, the hood sealing mechanism positioned adjacent to a back portion of the hood with the neck hole and the hood positioned between the hood sealing mechanism and the cooperating pouch sealing mechanism. 2: The garment of claim 1, wherein the fabric sheet further comprises a head opening therethrough extended between the neck hole and the mouth opening into the pouch; and further comprising a garment sealing mechanism structured for releasably sealing the head opening. 3: The garment of claim 2, wherein the attachment mechanisms coupled to the fabric sheet adjacent to each of the corners formed at the intersections of the opposing side hem lines and each of the front and back hem lines, and the attachment mechanisms coupled to the fabric sheet adjacent to each of the opposing side hem lines substantially coincident with the common centerline each further comprises an attachment mechanism selected from the group of attachment mechanisms consisting of: fabric loops, elastic cord loops, button holes, metallic rings, non-metallic rings, and grommets. 4: The garment of claim 2, wherein the substantially waterproof fabric of the sheet further comprises a rip-stop nylon. 5: The garment of claim 2, wherein the substantially waterproof fabric of the sheet further comprises a fabric that is impregnated with a waterproofing material. 6: The garment of claim 2, wherein the hood further comprises a head contouring mechanism that is operable both for drawing a peak of the hood downwardly across a face hole formed in the hood at a front portion thereof, and for drawing opposing sides of the hood backwardly away from the face hole formed in the hood. 7: The garment of claim 6, wherein the pouch is sized to receive an entirety of the fabric sheet thereinto; and wherein pouch sealing mechanism is further structured for sealing the mouth opening of the pouch with the entirety of the fabric sheet therein. 8: The garment of claim 7, further comprising a means for mitigating updrafts when the garment is operated as a poncho with a user's neck positioned in the neck hole, the user's head positioned in the hood, the user's arms extended along the common centerline toward the opposing side hem lines, and the user's legs extended downwardly between the front and back hem lines. 9: The garment of claim 7, further comprising means for releasably attaching together the corners of the back panel of the fabric sheet formed at intersections of the opposing side hem lines. 10: A multi-functional garment, comprising: a substantially rectangular sheet of substantially waterproof fabric, the fabric sheet being bounded on opposing short sides by opposing front and back hem lines and bounded on opposing long sides by a pair of opposing side hem lines that are extended between opposing ends of the front and back hem lines and forming corners between each of the opposing side hem lines and each of the front and back hem lines, wherein the fabric sheet further comprises substantially rectangular front and back panels that are continuous between the opposing side hem lines and are further contiguous along a common centerline of the fabric sheet that is extended between the opposing side hem lines approximately midway between the front and back hem lines and terminating in the respective front and back hem lines, and further comprising a neck hole through the fabric sheet positioned approximately intermediate of the common centerline; a plurality of attachment loop means for connecting to the fabric sheet, one of the plurality of attachment loop means coupled to the fabric sheet adjacent to each of the corners and adjacent to each of the opposing side hem lines approximately intermediate thereof; a hem adjusting means for adjusting a length of the back hem line between the opposite side hem lines; a waist cinching means for adjusting a width of at least the back panel of the fabric sheet between the opposing side hem lines, the waist cinching means being positioned between the common centerline and the back hem line; a pair of cooperating waist coupling means for coupling together a portion of the opposing side hem lines, the cooperating waist coupling means being positioned on the back panel adjacent to each of the opposing side hem lines between the common centerline and the back hem line; a garment receiving means attached to the front panel of the fabric sheet, the garment receiving means being structured for receiving the fabric sheet substantially entirely thereinto; a fabric hood sealed to the fabric sheet adjacent to the neck hole therethrough; and a neck hole sealing means structured for sealing the neck hole of the fabric sheet. 11: The garment of claim 10, wherein the garment receiving means further comprises a pouch having a mouth opening thereinto, and a pouch sealing mechanism structured for sealing the mouth opening into the pouch; and wherein the neck hole sealing means further comprises a sealing mechanism that cooperates with the pouch sealing mechanism for sealing the neck hole of the fabric sheet. 12: The garment of claim 11, wherein pair of cooperating waist coupling means is further positioned approximately intermediate between the common centerline and the back hem line; and wherein the waist cinching means is further positioned adjacent to the waist coupling means. 13: The garment of claim 12, wherein the hem adjusting means further comprises a draw string operational through a sleeve formed on the back panel of the fabric sheet, and means for releasably clamping a portion of the drawstring withdrawn from the sleeve. 14: The garment of claim 13, wherein the waist cinching means further comprises a draw string operational through a sleeve formed on the back panel of the fabric sheet, and means for releasably clamping a portion of the drawstring withdrawn from the sleeve. 15: The garment of claim 12, wherein the fabric sheet further comprises a heat reflective lining. 16: A method of making a multi-functional garment, comprising: in a sheet of substantially waterproof fabric, forming a substantially rectangular flat pattern that is bounded on opposing short sides by opposing front and back hem lines and bounded on opposing long sides by a pair of opposing side hem lines that are extended between opposing ends of the front and back hem lines and forming corners between each of the opposing side hem lines and each of the front and back hem lines, the fabric sheet further comprising substantially rectangular front and back panels terminating in the respective front and back hem lines and that are contiguous along the common centerline and are further continuous between the opposing side hem lines, and the fabric sheet further comprising a neck hole through the fabric positioned approximately intermediate of the common centerline; coupling a corner attachment mechanism to the fabric sheet adjacent to each of the corners; coupling a centerline attachment mechanism to the fabric sheet adjacent to each of the opposing side hem lines approximately coincident with the common centerline; positioning a hem contouring mechanism crosswise of the fabric sheet adjacent to at least the back hem line between the opposite side hem lines; positioning a waist cinching mechanism on at least the back panel between the common centerline and the back hem line and extended crosswise of the fabric sheet between the opposing side hem lines; positioning a pair of cooperating waist coupling mechanisms on the back panel adjacent to each of the opposing side hem lines and adjacent to the waist cinching mechanisms; attaching a pouch to the front panel of the fabric sheet approximately aligned with the neck hole and spaced away therefrom, and further comprising forming a mouth opening into the pouch, and positioning a pouch sealing mechanism for sealing the mouth opening; sealing a fabric hood to the fabric sheet adjacent to the neck hole therethrough with a face hole directed substantially toward the front panel of the fabric sheet; and structuring a hood sealing mechanism for cooperating with the pouch sealing mechanism, positioning the hood sealing mechanism adjacent to a back portion of the hood with the neck hole and the hood positioned between the hood sealing mechanism and the pouch sealing mechanism. 17: The method of claim 16, wherein coupling a corner attachment mechanism to the fabric sheet further comprises coupling selecting a corner attachment mechanism from the group of corner attachment mechanism consisting of: fabric loops, elastic cord loops, button holes, metallic rings, non-metallic rings, metallic grommets, and non-metallic grommets. 18: The method of claim 17, further comprising selecting the sheet of substantially waterproof fabric as a rip-stop nylon fabric impregnated with a waterproofing material. 19: The method of claim 17, further comprising coupling a head contouring mechanism to the fabric hood, coupling a head contouring mechanism to the fabric hood further comprising forming a sleeve on the hood, positioning a draw string slidably within the sleeve with at least one end portion thereof exiting from the sleeve, and coupling a releasable clamping mechanism to the end portion of the draw string exiting from the sleeve. 20: The method of claim 17, wherein attaching a pouch to the front panel of the fabric sheet further comprises sizing the pouch for receiving the fabric sheet substantially entirely thereinto; and wherein structuring a hood sealing mechanism for cooperating with the pouch sealing mechanism further comprises structuring a hood sealing mechanism for cooperating with the pouch sealing mechanism for sealing the pouch with the fabric sheet being received substantially entirely therein. 